There’s something magical about walking through my front door on a chilly evening to the aroma of homemade soup simmering on the stove. My Easy Rotisserie Chicken Gnocchi Soup has become a cherished recipe in our home, born from one of those “what’s in the fridge?” moments that turned into a family favorite.

I still remember the first time I made this soup. It was a rainy Sunday afternoon, and I had a store-bought rotisserie chicken sitting in my refrigerator from the night before. My kids were asking for something warm and comforting, and I wanted something that wouldn’t take hours to prepare. Looking around my kitchen, I spotted some potato gnocchi in the pantry and fresh vegetables in the crisper drawer. Within 30 minutes, we were sitting down to bowls of creamy chicken gnocchi soup that rivaled any restaurant version.

What makes this Easy Rotisserie Chicken Gnocchi Soup special is not just its incredible flavor but how quickly it comes together. By using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, you’re already halfway to dinner. The pillowy gnocchi adds a hearty texture that makes this soup feel like a complete meal in a bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are countless reasons to add this Easy Rotisserie Chicken Gnocchi Soup to your regular meal rotation:

• Quick preparation: Ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish
• Budget-friendly: Makes use of leftover rotisserie chicken
• One-pot wonder: Minimal cleanup required
• Customizable: Easy to adapt based on what vegetables you have on hand
• Family-approved: Both kids and adults love the creamy, flavorful broth and tender gnocchi
• Perfect for meal prep: Tastes even better the next day
• Restaurant quality: Rivals popular restaurant versions at a fraction of the cost

This soup strikes the perfect balance between homemade goodness and convenience cooking. It’s hearty enough to be a main course but also works beautifully as a starter for a special dinner.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Base:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced (about 3/4 cup)
• 2 celery stalks, diced (about 3/4 cup)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Soup:

• 2-3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (about half a chicken)
• 1 pound potato gnocchi (shelf-stable or refrigerated)
• 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Soup Base

1. Heat the foundation: In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted.
2. Sauté the aromatics: Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and the onions become translucent.
3. Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4. Create the roux: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes. This will help thicken your soup and create a velvety texture.
5. Build the broth: Gradually add the chicken broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Then pour in the milk, continuing to stir until smooth.
6. Season the base: Add the dried thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Completing the Soup

7. Add the chicken: Stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken, allowing it to warm in the simmering broth for about 5 minutes.
8. Cook the gnocchi: Add the potato gnocchi to the pot. If using shelf-stable gnocchi, cook for 3-4 minutes; if using refrigerated, cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they float to the surface.
9. Finish with greens and cream: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the chopped spinach, heavy cream, and fresh parsley. Allow the spinach to wilt, about 1-2 minutes.
10. Final touches: Remove the bay leaf. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
11. Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish with additional fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.

Expert Tips and Variations

Pro Tips for Perfect Soup

• Chicken shortcut: No rotisserie chicken? Use 2 cups of any cooked chicken, or quickly poach 1 pound of chicken breasts in the broth before starting the recipe.
• Gnocchi wisdom: Don’t overcook the gnocchi or they’ll become mushy. Add them just a few minutes before serving.
• Thickness control: For a thinner soup, add more chicken broth. For thicker soup, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into the simmering soup.
• Make ahead: Prepare the soup base without the gnocchi and refrigerate. When ready to serve, reheat the soup, add the gnocchi, and finish with the spinach and cream.

Delicious Variations

• Vegetable boost: Add 1 cup diced zucchini or yellow squash along with the other vegetables.
• Herbaceous twist: Swap dried herbs for 1 tablespoon each of fresh thyme and rosemary for brighter flavor.
• Dairy-free option: Replace milk and cream with unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
• Spicy kick: Add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for a subtle heat.
• Gluten-free adaptation: Use gluten-free flour for the roux and ensure your gnocchi is gluten-free (or substitute with white beans).

Serving Suggestions

This Easy Rotisserie Chicken Gnocchi Soup pairs wonderfully with:

• Crusty artisan bread or garlic bread for dipping
• A simple side salad with vinaigrette dressing
• Rosemary focaccia
• Parmesan crisps for a low-carb option

Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

Makes 6 servings

• Calories: 420
• Protein: 24g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fat: 20g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sodium: 780mg

Note: Nutritional values may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.

Warm Your Soul with This Comforting Soup

There’s something deeply satisfying about creating a homemade soup that tastes like it simmered all day but actually came together in just 30 minutes. This Easy Rotisserie Chicken Gnocchi Soup has become my go-to recipe when I need comfort food without the fuss.

I love watching friends and family take their first spoonful of this soup. There’s always that moment of pleasant surprise when they taste how rich and flavorful it is, followed by requests for the recipe. It’s become my signature dish for dropping off to new parents, sick friends, or anyone needing a bit of comfort delivered in a bowl.

Don’t be surprised if this becomes your new favorite soup recipe. It has all the elements of a classic comfort food – it’s creamy, hearty, and filled with tender chicken and pillowy gnocchi. Plus, it’s so simple that you’ll find yourself making it even on busy weeknights.

So the next time you pick up a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, grab the ingredients for this soup as well. Your future self will thank you when you’re enjoying a steaming bowl of Easy Rotisserie Chicken Gnocchi Soup after a long day!